Luke 23:48 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.

NIV: When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away.

NASB: And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, after watching what had happened, began to return home, beating their chests.

CSB: All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests.

NLT: And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow.

KJV: And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.

NKJV: And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.

It's not unusual for people to get caught in a crowd, carried along in something they don't understand. Passover in Jerusalem is busy—perhaps hundreds of thousands of Jews visit from all over the Roman Empire. Many likely have never heard of Jesus of Nazareth. They just know that a man is hanging on a cross. Above His head is a sign reading "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" (John 19:19). The chief priests, scribes, and elders are mocking Him, saying that if He is the Christ of God, He should be able to rescue Himself from the cross (Luke 23:35). Faced with the immediate scene, it's to be expected the crowd would join in with verbal abuse as a stranger slowly died.

When He dies, however, everything changes. For one, it's been dark for three hours. But with His last breath, a series of supernatural events occur that can only be the work of God (Matthew 27:51–53). Even the centurion declares Jesus' innocence and the soldiers cry, "Truly this was the Son of God!" (Luke 23:47; Matthew 27:54).

It's impossible to say if these are the same people who mocked Jesus. Hundreds of people have passed Him during the six hours He spent on the cross, and undoubtedly some mourned Him even then. Whoever they are, these people respond correctly. Ther nation is complicit in the murder of an innocent man; all sinners deserve God's judgment (Romans 6:23). They mourn the death as they express their own regret.

Luke 23:44–49 reports how the land turned dark and the temple veil was torn as Jesus gave His spirit to God and died. The centurion recognizes that Jesus is righteous, and the people go home, mourning. Jesus' acquaintances, including many of the women who support Him, look on from a distance. Matthew 27:45–56, Mark 15:33–41, and John 19:28–30 also record the death of Jesus.

Luke 23 records the remaining trials, death, and burial of Jesus Christ. He is examined by the Roman governor and the local appointed King, neither of whom are interested in passing a death sentence. Local religious leaders incite the crowd, pressuring the governor, Pilate, to authorize crucifixion. Jesus accepts the faith of another condemned man and dies. Joseph of Arimathea asks for Jesus body and buries it in a tomb cut from rock.

Luke 23 records Jesus' civil trials, crucifixion, and burial. The members of the Sanhedrin have put Jesus through three trials in their attempt to convince Pilate He's a threat (Luke 22:47–71). Their case is weak, but their political influence is powerful enough to force Pilate's hand. Jesus is executed. Three days after Joseph of Arimathea buries Jesus, Jesus reappears on the road to Emmaus where He explains Messianic prophecies in Jewish Scriptures. After spending time with His followers, Jesus ascends into heaven (Luke 24) and the disciples build the church (Acts).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.